Thursday Scoop: Let the Games Begin

North and South Korea to Bid Together for the 2032 Summer Olympics

The South Korean president knowing that he’s going to be hosting the Olympics again real soon. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

During their second day of a historic joint summit, North and South Korea agreed to pursue a joint bid to host the 2032 Olympics. Although few details about this bid were released, both President Moon Jae In and leader Kim Jung Un agreed to host Olympic events in Seoul and Pyongyang, according to the South Korean sports minister.

Political experts are concerned about how the closed dictatorship of North Korea will handle an influx of international athletes, media, and fans. However, the joint bid offers more good than bad, demonstrating the positive incentive that the Olympics offers to the two countries. This past February, North Korea sent delegations of athletes to compete with South Korea at their Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The decision for the 2032 Olympics will not be made until 2025.

Kavanaugh’s Accuser Given Monday Deadline to Testify

Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser have reached a stalemate on Wednesday with Democrats and Republicans accusing the other side of being unfair in the Supreme Court confirmation battle.

The New York Times reports, “Christine Blasey Ford, the professor who alleged that Judge Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers, said a Senate hearing set for Monday to hear her allegation would not be fair and Democrats insisted that an F.B.I. investigation take place first. Backed by President Trump, Senate Republicans rejected any F.B.I. inquiry, and said that Monday was her chance to be heard.”

Unless Blasey changes her mind, Kavanaugh could be confirmed as early as next week. Senator Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa and the committee chairman, has been flexible on how to question Blasey, but refused her request for an F.B.I. investigation into her assault, adding she has until Monday to testify.

Rice University to Offer Free Tuition to Middle Class Students

Rice University of Houston, Texas has announced a new initiative to make higher education accessible to low-income and middle class families. According to a university press release, the school is expanding their financial aid to offer free tuition to students who come from families that make up to $130,000 annually.

The plan, known formally as The Rice Investment, will also award need-based scholarships to students whose parents make between $130,000 and $200,000 amounting to half of tuition. The goal of The Rice Investment plan is to ensure that students will not have to take out student loans as a part of their financial aid package.

Rice President David Leebron stated: “Talent deserves opportunity. The Rice Investment is just that – an investment in the limitless promise of all students who demonstrate talent, initiative and drive regardless of their background or their ability to pay for college.”

Today in a Tweet

Cult classic “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010) was released on Netflix yesterday, and Twitter is buzzing.

Last But Not Least: It’s Been One Year Since Hurricane Maria Made Landfall

On September 20, 2017, the three million inhabitants of Puerto Rico were affected by Hurricane Maria, a category four storm. According to ABC News, its impact was felt immediately, destroying electrical grids and telecommunications systems, amounting to damages of $140 billion.

In the first weeks after Maria, the government reported that the death toll was at 51. But over the next few months, several sources estimated the death toll in Puerto Rico to be in the thousands; and as of last month, the death toll is reported to be at 2,975.

President Trump tweeted that this number could not possibly be true, citing his visit in the aftermath of the storm. The president has since been called out on his misinformation, as San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz told him, “This is not about politics, sir. This is about saving lives.”

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